IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 August 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210016352 APPLICANT REQUESTS: award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the Berlin Crisis. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) * Movement Order 65 for the 969th Engineer Battalion, 21 September 1961 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states he spent 2 years in the Regular Army and when he was released, he was transferred to the Reserves. His unit was activated because of the Berlin Crisis, and he was back in service for a time less than a year. He believes he qualifies for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the Berlin Crisis. 3. Review of the applicant’s service records shows: a. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 17 February 1958. He held military occupational specialty 631.10, Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. b. He entered active duty on 17 February 1958. He served in Korea from on or about 12 December 1958 to on or about 27 December 1959. c. He was honorably released from active duty on 3 February 1960. His DD Form 214 for this period of service does not list any awards or decorations. d. He was ordered to active duty on 1 October 1961. He served with Company B, 969th Engineer Battalion, Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, NY. e. Movement Order Number 61, issued by First U.S. Army, NY on 21 September 1961 ordered the 969th Engineer Battalion on a permanent change of station from Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, NY to Fort Bragg, NC. f. The applicant was specifically ordered to report to Fort Bragg, NC as part of the unit move, no later than 15 October 1961. g. He was honorably released from active duty at Fort Bragg on 9 August 1962. His DD Form 214 for this period of service does not list any awards or decorations. h. On 12 August 2016, he was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) that added awards of the: * National Defense Service Medal * Korea Defense Service Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar i. There is no evidence in the service record that shows the applicant departed Fort Bragg and/or served in Berlin during the period covered by his second DD Form 214. 4. By regulation (AR 600-8-22), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is authorized for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in military operations within specific geographic areas during specified time periods. An individual, who was not engaged in actual combat or equally hazardous activity, must have been a bona fide member of a unit participating in, or be engaged in the direct support of, the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involved entering the area of operations. The AFEM is authorized for Berlin from 14 August 1961 to 1 June 1963. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found relief is not warranted. 2. The Board found that eligibility for the AFEM requires entering a specified geographic area of operations during a specified period. The Board found no evidence indicating the applicant served in Berlin during the period for which the AFEM was authorized. The Board determined he is not authorized the AFEM. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING :X :X :X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is authorized for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in military operations within specific geographic areas during specified time periods. An individual, who was not engaged in actual combat or equally hazardous activity, must have been a bona fide member of a unit participating in, or be engaged in the direct support of, the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involved entering the area of operations. Table 2-3 shows The AFEM is authorized for Berlin from 14 August 1961 to 1 June 1963. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210016352 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1